Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Dakota Transport Pilot’s D.F.C. and American D.F.C. group of six awarded to Flying Officer S. J. Rand, No. 117 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated 1945; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence & War Medals; U.S.A., Distinguished Flying Cross, the reverse inscribed ‘F/O S. J. Rand AR 600-45 15.9.45’, mounted as worn, together with the recipient’s Pilot’s Flying Log Book for the period August 1941 to December 1945, original U.S. orders and citation for American D.F.C., congratulatory letter from Air-Commander-in-Chief Park, and a news cutting, good very fine and scarce (6) £1200-1400

D.F.C. London Gazette 20 July 1945: ‘This officer has completed a large number of operational missions many of them in support of our ground forces, often in extremely bad weather. Throughout he has shown a high degree of skill and gallantry setting a fine example to all. Both in the air and on the ground his conduct has been exemplary and he has contributed in a large way to the success of the squadron.’

American D.F.C.: ‘For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during the period December 1944 to April 1945. Flying Officer Rand, as a pilot, has participated in a total of 130 sorties with a total of 417 operational hours. He has flown over mountainous terrain and areas characterized by extreme weather conditions, and territory where enemy aerial attack and ground fire was probable and expected. This extraordinary achievement on the part of Flying Officer Rand, through his steadfast unwavering devotion to duty above and beyond that normally expected, reflects great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the Allied Nations.’

Flight Lieutenant Stuart James Rand was born in Lewisham in 1911 and was educated at Kent College, Canterbury. Enlisting in 1941, he underwent flying instruction at Singapore and in Canada, returning to the U.K. at the end of 1942. In March / April 1944 he flew by stages from Hurn to join No. 117 Squadron at Sylhet, India, arriving at a time when transport aircraft were were desperately needed to supply Wingate’s Long Range Penetration Brigades, and to airlift troops in from the Arakan to Imphal to meet the Japanese march on Indial. Rand’s log book lists over seventy codenamed drop zones used in support of ground forces between May 1944 and August 1945.